UW03-mics
uw03
UW Course Outline
Microphones
<<<RECORD>>>
A. The Transducer
1. The overall sound of an audio signal will be no better than the “weakest link” in its signal path.
2. The “psychology” of microphone pickups– There is a psychology but there are no rules– The “Good Rule = good musician/source + good instrument + good performance + good acoustics + good mic + good placement = good sound"
B. Microphone Design
Note: Emiliano told us about a link to a booklet on mics from Neumann … Here’s a download link to that booklet
1. Dynamic
– Magnetic Principles of operation
– Whenever metal cuts across a magnetic field, a current (of a specific intensity and direction) is “induced” into the metal… conversely, whenever a current is introduced into metal a magnetic field (of a specific intensity and direction) will be set up.
1957 Cadillac analogy
2. Ribbon
3. Condenser
Q=CV
powered condenser
electret
3. Microphone characteristics
directionality
omni
cardioid
figure 8 (bi-directional)
– frequency response
– to EQ, or not to EQ… chosing the right mic
– proximity effect
– rumble (p.108)
– transient response
– pop-filtering
▪ wind screen
▪ popper-stoppers (stocking stuffers)
– output characteristics
– sensitivity/noise
– overload capacity
– input trim/padding
– impedance (resistance)
▪ mics are ~200
▪ lines are high Z
– balanced lines
▪ advantages
▪ phantom powering
– unbalanced
Mic Mods & affordable mics
Mic preamps
C. Professional Microphone Techniques Book
1. group discussion – Talk about some of your favorite mics and techniques
D. Microphone Techniques
1. Really, folks, it’s mostly a matter of common sense
– Stick to MRT-9 so as not to go over (pp. 118-148)
2. Working Distances (PP. 125-144)
– distant
– close
– accent
– ambient
– general ideas about “workin the room”
3. Phase Relationships
4. Stereo Techniques
XY
Blumlein
Decca tree
MS
– hardware matrix
– plug-in matrix
5. reamp
– p. 137-138
6. Surround Techniques
– XY
– Blumlein
7. Recording Direct
– DI Box
– Mixing the signals (surround)